Fayetteville State Univ. students make the case for early voting site near campus

Students at Fayetteville State University are calling for the Smith Recreation Center, located near their campus, to once again be used as an early voting site for this year's election.

FAYETTEVILLE – Students at Fayetteville State University are calling for the Arthur D. Smith Recreation Center, located near their campus, to once again be used as an early voting site for this year’s election.

“The percentage of African-Americans early voting is higher than them coming out on Election Day,” said Kristian Carlyle, a student at Fayetteville State. “So I feel that it’s very important that we keep it open because it’s at the center of our community.”

That sentiment was echoed by Val Applewhite, a Fayetteville resident, who also noted the location’s convenience for neighborhoods surrounding campus.

“Adjacent to Fayetteville State University, it is absolutely critical that we have this early voting site,” Applewhite said. “But in that context, this recreation center is located in a historically African-American community that is considered under-served. Many people here don’t have transportation services to go down to the board of elections or go to another location. They need something that’s walkable.”

This summer, the Cumberland County Board of Elections will decide on early voting locations for the fall general election.

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